File cabinets



Nov. 6, 1956 J. H. WISEMANI I 2,769,679

FILE CABINETS Filed om.- 19, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

JOSEPH H. msEm/v,

A T TOR/V5 K Nov. 6, 1956 J. w s N 2,769,679

FILE CABINETS Filed Oct. 19, 1951 JOSEPH H. w/sEm/v,

I N V EN TOR.

Kw/M45;

/ TTOR/VEK Filed Oct. 19, 1951 Nov. 6, 1956 J. H. WISEMAN FILE CABINETS 4 Sheets-Sheet Q Q Q Q Q Q FQEQ.

I G v 0 JOSEPH H. W/SEMAN,

,S} INVENTOR. 5

A T TORNEK Nov. 6,- 1956 J. H. WISEMAN 2,769.679

FILE CABINETS Filed Oct. 19, 1951 '4 Sheets-Sheet 4 JOSEPH H. W/SE'MAN,

' INVENTOR.

ATTORNEK United tates Patent FILE CABINETS Joseph H. Wiseman, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application October 19, 1951, Serial No. 252,039

6 Claims. (Cl. 312-350) My invention relates to improvements in filing cabinets, and more particularly to an improved case for a filing cabinet utilizing drawers.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved filing cabinet case which is of rigid construction and low manufacturing cost.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved filing cabinet case of such construction that it may be fabricated out of sheet metal that has been prepainted or otherwise precoated.

Another object of my invention is to provide a filing cabinet case having interlocking parts that are arranged to beheld together securely without the aid of welding.

A further object of my invention is to provide a filing cabinet case in the form of a housing and internal wall members that are interlocked therewith to form a rigid construction.

A further object of my invention is to provide in a file cabinet case a housing that is fabricated from a single piece of sheet metal that may be prepainted and securely assembled without welding.

A still further object of my invention is to provide internal front and rear wall members of a housing for a file cabinet that are adapted to interlock with other internal wall members.

And a still further object of my invention is to provide side wall members of a housing for a file'cabinet that are adapted to interlock with internal front and rear members and to provide drawer ledges.

Other objects of my invention will become apparent from the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view looking down at my improved file cabinet;

Fig. 2 is a front perspective view looking up at my improved file cabinet;

Fig. 3 is a front perspective view looking up at my improved case housing;

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view of the file cabinet taken on the plane 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed view of the housing;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the housing blank before fold- Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of the housing blank;

Fig. 11 is a view of the housing blank after partial folding;

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 12-12 of Fig. 11; and

Fig. 13 is an exploded isometric view showing the internal wall structure of the file cabinet case.

2,769,679 Patented Nov. 6, 1956 Referring to the drawings and particularly Figs. 1 and 2, a file cabinet according to my invention comprises a plurality of drawers 20 arranged to be moved into and out of my improved file cabinet case 30. The drawers 20 may be of conventional construction, being of rectangular configuration having index holders 22 provided with integral drawer pulls 24. In the specific embodiment of my invention illustrated, the cabinet case 30 is arranged to operate with four shallow drawers arranged one above another. My improved file cabinet case 30, as illustrated in detail in Figs. 3-8 inclusive, comprises an external housing member 40 and an internal wall structure interlocked therein. The internal wall structure comprises a rear wall member 50, a front wall member 60, and right and left side wall members 70. The file cabinet illustrated herein is of rectangular cross-section in a longitudinal vertical plane and in a horizontal plane but is of square cross-section in a vertical transverse plane.

The case housing 40 is fabricated from a blank B that is stamped and formed from a single sheet of metal, as indicated in Figs. 9 and 10. The case housing 40 comprises bottom, right side, top, and left side wall sections 41, 42, 43 and 44 respectively. Tabs 45 formed at the front and rear ends of the wall sections 4144 inclusive are adapted to be curved or otherwise bent inwardly to form molding strips that frame the front and rear of the cabinet, the inner edges 46 of the molding strips projecting axially inwardly.

In forming the case housing 40, the tabs 45 are first shaped to the desired configuration, as illustrated in Fig. 11, and then the blank B is bent to the desired rectangu lar configuration. Fig. 3 showing the housing just prior to completion. A tab 46 formed at one end of the blank B is provided with lugs or ears 47 which are adapted to interlock with slots 48 formed at the opposite end of the blank. Slight depressions 48a are formed in the blank B adjacent the slots 48 to facilitate securing the remote edges of the blank together by bending the lugs 47 into the recesses 49, thereby presenting a flush external surface, as indicated in Fig. 8.

The case housing so formed is of the desired rectangular configuration, being of square cross-section in a transverse vertical plane. The inner edges 46 of the molding strips accordingly present a square abutment when viewed from the central space encompassed by the housing 40. In practice, the adjacent edges of the tabs 45 are so shaped that the molding strips formed thereby abut each other along radial planes passing through the central longitudinal axis of the case. Complementary male and female recesses M and F respectively are formed in the top and bottom wall sections 43 and 41 respectively of the case housing to facilitate vertical stacking of file cabinets.

The rear wall member 50, is illustrated in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 13, is stamped and formed from a single sheet of metal. Four rearwardly facing channels 51 formed in a square configuration adjacent the edges of the rear wall member 50 are adapted to receive and snugly hold the internal edges 46 of the molding strips that are at the rear of the case housing 40. The square portion of the rear wall 50 enclosed Within the four channels 51 comprises a panel 52 constituting the rear wall of the file cabinet. The rear wall member 50 comprises upper and lower angular portions 53 having front faces 54 coplanar with the panel 52 and transverse sections 55 that lie against the adjacent portions of the upper and lower wall sections 43 and 41 of the housing. Also, the rear wall member 50 comprises right and left angular portions 56 having front faces 57 coplanar with the panel 52 and transverse sections 53 that lie against the adjahousing. Apertures 59 are formed in the laterally extending parts 57 of the angular portions 56. The widths of the transverse sections 55 and 5d are such that their rear edges abut against the outer edges of the molding strips 45 so as to form a firm reinforcing structure.

In a similar manner the front wall member 60, as illustrated in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 13, is stamped and formed from a single sheet of metal. Four forwardly facing channels 61 formed in a square configuration are adapted to receive and snugly hold the internal edges 46 of the molding strips that are at the front of the case housing 40. The square portion of the front wall 60 enclosed within the four channels 61 is cut out to form a drawerreceiving mouth 62 at the front of thefile cabinet. The front wallmember 60 comprises upper and lower angular portions 63 having rearfaces 64 and transverse sections 65 that lie against the adjacent portions of the lower and upper wall sections 41 and 43. Similarly, the front wall member 60 comp-rises right and left angular portions 66 having rear faces 67 and transverse sections 58 that lie against the adjacent portions of the side wall sections 42 and 44. The rear faces 64 and 67 of the angular portions 63 and 66 are coplanar, lying at the front edges of the channels 61. Apertures 69 are formed in the laterally extending parts 67 of the angular portions 66. The widths of the transverse sections 65 and 68 are such that their front edges abut against the outer edges of the molding strips 45 so as to form a firm reinforcing structure.

Each of the side wall members 70, as illustrated in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 13, is also stamped and formed from a single sheet of metal, Each of the side wall members 70 is formed with integral inwardly projecting shelf support strips 71 formed by cutting the sheets leaving slots 76, Corresponding support strips of the two side wall members lie in common horizontal planes to form ledges upon which the drawers 20 rest to enable the drawers to be slid inwardly and outwardly of the case 30. Inwardly projecting reinforcing strips 72 formed at the upper and lower edges of the side wall members 70 abut against the lower and upper wall sections 41 and 43 of the case housing 40. Outwardly projecting fastener strips 73 forrned at the front and rear ends of the side wall members 70 are formed with lugs or tabs 84 which project through thecorresponding apertures 59 and 69 of the rear and front wall members 50 and 60 and are so bent as to securely lock the side wall members '70 to the front and rear wall members 50 and 60. In effect, each of the side wall members comprises shelf support strips 71 and reinforcing strips 72 and 73 extending transversely of the male body portion thereof. The lengths of the side wall members 70 are just sufficient to permit the side wall members to clear the inner surfaces of the channels 51 and 61.

To assemble the file cabinet case, the housing 40 and the wall members 50, 60 and 70 are first completely fabricated, then the two end wall members 50 and 60 are inserted through the front and rear openings of the housing 40 and fitted into place with the edges 46 of the molding strips 45 inserted within the channels 51 and 61. Next, the two side wall members 70 are inserted through the mouth 62 of the front wall member and positioned against the side wall sections 42 and 44 of the housing 40. The internal wall members 50, 60 and 70 are then locked together securely in place by bending the tabs 74 and 84 to insert them in the apertures 59 and 69 and into locking engagement with the end walls. This locking operation is accomplished by means of a tool that is inserted through the slots of the side wall members 70. A suitable tool for this purpose would be in the form of an elongated member having a transverse finger at one end thereof which may be inserted through the slots 76 and employed for bending'the tabs 74 as desired. a V V The file cabinet case so formed :is of'rigid constructign.

Furthermore, sinceall welding operations are eliminated, it is possible to manufacture such cases from sheet metal that has been painted, lithographed, or otherwise precoated prior to the stamping and forming operations. This factor alone makes it possible to manufacture such file cabinet cases at relatively low cost.

From the foregoing description, it will thus be apparent that I have provided an improved file cabinet of simple, strong, low cost construction. Although only one specific form of my invention has been described, it will be obvious that my invention is not limited thereto but is capable of a variety of mechanical embodiments. Various changes which will now suggest themselves to those skilled in the art may be made in the material, form, details of construction, and arrangement of the elements without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. In a file cabinet, a rectangular case comprising four walls arranged to embrace a central space and molding strips extending into said space from the open ends of the case, the inner edges of the molding strips projecting axially inwardly, a pair of unitary rectangular end wall members arranged at opposite ends of said central space, both end wall members having inwardly stepped offset portions at positions spaced inwardly from the edges thereof for abutting the inner edges of said strips for retaining the respective end wall members in position, one of said end wall members being open in the space between said offset portions to provide a drawer-receiving mouth at one end of the cabinet, and a pair of side-wall embers, mounted on opposite sides of said central space, said side-wall members being secured to said end wall members, said side-wall members having inwardly projecting shelf-support strips formed integrally therewith.

2. In a file cabinet, a rectangular case comprising four walls arranged to embrace a central space and molding strips extending into said space from the open ends of the case, the inner edges of the molding strips projecting axially inwardly, a pair of rectangular end wall members arranged at opposite ends of said central space, both end wall members having outwardly facing channels formed therein, said channels receiving the inner edges of said molding strips, one of said end wall members being open to form a drawer-receiving mouth at one end of the cabinet, the outer edges of said end wall members engaging the inner surfaces of said four walls, and a pair of side-wall members mounted on opposite sides of said central space, said side-wall members being secured to said end wall members, said side-Wall members having inwardly projecting shelf-support strips formed integrally therewith.

3. In a file cabinet, a rectangular case comprising four walls arranged to embrace a central space and molding strips extending into said space from the open ends of the case, the inner edges of the molding strips projecting axially inwardly, a pair of rectangular end wall members arranged at opposite ends of said central space, both end wall members having outwardly facing channels formed therein, said channels receiving the inner edges of said molding strips, the outer portions of said end wall members being bent to form reinforcing members that lie against the adjacent portions of the case walls, one of said wall members being open to form a drawer-receiving mouth at one end of the cabinet, and a pair of side wall members, each of said side wall members having front and rear integral bearing strips projecting outwardly transversely thereof, said bearing strips bearing against said end wall members, said side wall members having reinforcing members projecting transversely of the upper edges thereof that bear against the upper and lower case walls, said side wall members also having inwardly projecting shelf-support strips formed integrally therewith.

4. In a file cabinet, a rectangular case comprising four walls arranged to embrace acentral space and molding strips extendinginto.saidspace from the open ends of the case, the inner edges of the molding strips projecting axially inwardly, a pair of rectangular end wall members arranged at opposite ends of said central space, both end wall members having outwardly facing channels formed therein, said channels receiving the inner edges of said molding strips, the outer portions of said end wall members being bent to form reinforcing members that lie against the adjacent portions of the case walls, said end wall members having apertures in the portions thereof outside said channels, one of said wall members being open to form a drawer-receiving mouth at one end of the cabinet, and a pair of sidewall members, each of said side-wall members having front and rear integral fastening strips projecting outwardly transversely thereof, said fastening strips having lugs lockingly engaging said apertures, said side-wall members having reinforcing members projecting transversely of the upper edges thereof that bear against the upper and lower case walls, said sidewall members also having inwardly projecting shelfsupport strips formed integrally therewith.

5. In a file cabinet, a rectangular case comprising four walls arranged to embrace a central space and molding strips extending into said space from both open ends of the case, the inner edges of the molding strips projecting axially inwardly, a rear rectangular end wall member at one end of said central space, said rear end wall member having inwardly extending offset portions at the outer edges thereof, the inwardly offset portions abutting the inner edges of the strips at said end and the portion enclosed between said offset portions projecting outwardly through the opening between said strips, thereby retaining said strips in place, a front rectangular end wall member at the other end of said central space, said front end wall member having outwardly facing channels formed therein, said channels receiving the inner edges of the molding strips at said end, said channels lying at the edges of an opening in said front end wall member, said opening forming a drawer receiving mouth at the front end of the cabinet, and a pair of side wall members mounted on opposite sides of said central space, said side wall members being secured to said end wall members,

said side wall members having inwardly projecting shelfsupport strips formed integrally therewith.

6. In a file cabinet, a rectangular case comprising four Walls arranged to embrace a central space and molding strips extending into said space from the open ends of the case, the inner edges of the molding strips projecting axially inwardly, said walls and said strips being formed of a precoated metal sheet, a pair of rectangular end wall members arranged at opposite ends of said central space, both end wall members having outwardly facing channels formed therein, said channels receiving the inner edges of said molding strips, the outer portions of said end wall members being bent outwardly to form reinforcing members that extend to the junctures of the adjacent case walls and molding strips and bear against the adjacent portions of the case walls, said end wall members having apertures in the portions thereof outside said channels, one of said wall members being open to form a drawer-receiving mouth at one end of the cabinet, and a pair of side-wall members, each of said side-Wall members having front and rear integral fastening strips projecting outwardly transversely thereof, said fastening strips having lugs lockingly engaging said apertures, said side-wall members having reinforcing members projecting transversely of the upper edges thereof that bear against the upper and lower case walls, said side-wall members also having inwardly projecting shelf-support strips formed integrally therewith.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 809,497 Dick Jan. 9, 1906 1,251,720 Wege Jan. 1, 1918 1,333,264 Long Mar. 9, 1920 1,429,628 Rand Sept. 19, 1922 1,841,330 Gronberg Jan. 12, 1932 2,226,670 Pratt Dec. 31, 1940 2,423,863 Wales July 15, 1947 2,501,980 Wolfe Mar. 28, 1950 2,547,463 Haut Apr. 3, 1951 

